After reading John 1:35-42 three times I better processed it — It’s one of those “It’s a small world” and “Right Place Right Time” moments that perhaps Andrew and Peter looked back on later.
All because Andrew had the faith and wisdom enough to believe and follow John the Baptist was he “in the right place at the right time” to hear John proclaim Jesus as the Lamb of God as Jesus walked by. Andrew was believing enough to immediately follow Jesus, to talk to him, to then do as Jesus asked. He saw where Jesus was staying and then he was wise and loving enough to know he needed and wanted to find his brother Simon – to also bring Simon to Jesus.
Andrew went to his brother, told him he found the Messiah, and then both Andrew and Simon returned to Jesus. Immediately upon being looked at by Jesus did Jesus say “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas (Peter)”.
So to think that in time Jesus will tell Simon Peter that that he was Peter (rock) and upon this rock he would build his church it is pausing to think that it all started with a “it’s a small world” moment.
How did it all begin? Andrew followed John which led him to Jesus. Had he not been spending days? weeks? months? years? following John he wouldn’t have been near enough to him for this moment to happen. Andrew’s (and Simon’s) steadfastness in faith produced much fruit.
When you strive to follow God many moments are “right place right time” no matter where you are and what you find yourself doing – In time you can look back and see exactly how God was preparing you, getting your “Yeses” as you made choices, and drawing you towards him.
Other Note: I’m also curious that Andrew was with someone else, later said “We have found the Messiah” and so the “we” seems to indicate it is someone close to both Andrew and Simon — and that that other person also followed Jesus right away. But we do not get to know who that person is. In following God you often don’t see all the people whose “yeses” have contributed to a “right place right time” moment — there are those who remain anonymous, much like you perhaps also remain, but each person is significant none-the-less because with God “it’s a small world” because it is God’s world.
John was standing with two of his disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
“What are you looking for?”
They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher),
“where are you staying?”
He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”
So they went and saw where he was staying,
and they stayed with him that day.
It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
“We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ.
Then he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said,
“You are Simon the son of John;
you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.
Give God Your Yes 